The Colorado Avalanche head into Joe Louis Arena for Sunday's match-up with the Detroit Red Wings (5 PM, FSD/WXYT) having lost four straight games, with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, who beat the Avs by a 4-2 tally on Friday night.

The Avs sit in 15th place, 8 points behind the 59-point playoff cut, but Paul Kukla pointed out this report from ColoradoAvalanche.com's Craig Stancher, who reports that the Avs will receive an injury reinforcement in the form of Adam Foote:

February 14, ColoradoAvalanche.com: Defenseman Adam Foote will accompany his teammates on their trip to Detroit and could be available for Sunday's game against the Red Wings. Following Saturday's practice at Family Sports Center, Foote proclaimed himself, "ready to go."

"It's been awhile," said Foote, who also mentioned the level of frustration that comes with being sidelined. "There always is when you're injured, whether your team is winning or going through a lull. That will never change. The last couple of games we played with a lot of energy and we deserved better. We didn't get the two points, but we have to stick with that same game plan."

The blueliner has not played since suffering [a torn triceps muscle] injury in the second period of a Jan. 4 game against the Minnesota Wild. He was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 6 (retroactive to Jan. 4) and has missed the Avalanche's last 18 games.

The Avs will play without the services of Joe Sakic (herniated disc and broken fingers) and Paul Stastny (broken arm), though Stancher reports that Stastny's practicing with the team.

Also of note:

Andrew Raycroft will be in goal Sunday against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Raycroft has faced the Red Wings once this season, posting 34 saves in a 3-2 Colorado victory on Dec. 15 in Detroit.
...
Darcy Tucker was excused from this morning's practice for personal reasons. His status for Sunday's game is uncertain.

The Wings very mercifully received a day off after playing three games in four nights and five games over the course of the past week. Wings coach Mike Babcock had yet to determine his starting goaltender as of Friday night, and I have no idea whether the team will hold a morning skate due to the 5 PM start.